Denmark in crisis as Trump sets sights on Greenland
This aerial view shows icebergs floating in sun-beaten waters with buildings in the background off Nuuk, Greenland, on March 11, 2025, on the day of legislative elections in the autonomous Danish region of Greenland.
Strange Andersen | Afp | Getty Images
Denmark is in “full crisis mode” after US President Donald Trump once again set his sights on Greenland following the Venezuelan attack.
“From a national security standpoint, we need Greenland, and I would say Denmark can’t do that,” Trump said Sunday aboard Air Force One. similar statements It was made separately to The Atlantic magazine.
His comments came a day after the United States carried out a major military operation in Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a surprise intervention that sent shockwaves around the world.
This caused alarm in Denmark, which is responsible for the defense of Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark.
“I have to say this directly to the United States: There is absolutely no point in talking about the necessity for the United States to seize Greenland,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Facebook on Sunday. he said. to mail.
U.S. President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (L) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) (C) speak to the media aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, DC, on January 4, 2026.
Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty Images
“The Kingdom of Denmark, and therefore Greenland, is part of NATO and is therefore covered by the security guarantee of the alliance. Today we already have a defense agreement between the Kingdom and the United States, which gives the United States wide access to Greenland,” Frederiksen said. he said.
“That’s why I strongly urge the United States to stop threats against a historically close ally, another country and another people who have clearly said they are not for sale,” he added.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in question It was stated on social media that Trump’s words were “very rude and disrespectful”.
‘Greenland risk is underpriced’
Opinion polls previously showed that Greenlanders is overwhelmingly opposed It is under US control, while a strong majority supports independence from Denmark.
Copenhagen has sought to improve relations with Greenland in recent months. pledge Trying to ease tensions with the Trump administration by increasing spending on health and infrastructure, as well as investing in Arctic defense. to contain Purchase of 16 additional F-35 fighter jets.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attends a press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on January 28, 2025.
Nadja Wohlleben | Reuters
said Mujtaba Rahman, European managing director of political risk consultancy Eurasia Group. in question The Danish government is in “full crisis mode” over Trump’s latest comments, referring to Frederiksen’s statement over the weekend.
“As I have long argued, Greenland risk is underpriced,” Rahman said. in question in a LinkedIn post on Sunday.
“A possible US intervention in Greenland is currently the greatest source of risk to the transatlantic alliance and to intra-NATO and intra-EU cohesion, arguably far greater than the risks posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” Rahman said. he said.
The US president, who has previously refused to rule out using military or economic force to take Greenland, last month appointed Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland.
The appointment was condemned by both Denmark and Greenland. Landry openly endorsed Trump’s attempt to bring Greenland under US control.
Katie Miller, wife of senior White House aide Stephen Miller. sent To X, a map of Greenland covered in an American flag with the words “Soon” written on it, shortly after Maduro was captured on Saturday.
